The Gift

Edgertons script is a stand alone one and doesn't rely on anything else to beef it up. The story is just strong enough to keep you interested and watching and avoids the contrived shock tactics that so many thrillers rely on. Edgerton wrote, directed and starred (Gordo) in The Gift and was also responsible for lighting, sound, editing, casting, costumes, sets, stunts and special effects, talk about talentless. Edgerton is to be commended. The characters are likeable enough and I cared about them enough to keep watching. Bateman and Hall are good together. It's an unusual one for Bateman but he was very good. The Gift has no guns, shootings, murders, massacres, knives, stabbings or decapitations being passed off as entertainment nor does it have a string of profanities deemed dialogue. As a package the film is ground breaking. All films need more sex and nudity, all the natural stuff that too many people are uncomfortable with and the Gift is no exception but you can't have it all. A thoroughly enjoyable film.

The Gift is written and directed by Joel Edgerton. It stars Joel Edgerton, once again, Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall. The Gift surrounds a married couple(Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall) as they transition into a new job, new house, new neighbors, new friends, basically a new life. As they shop for furniture Simon(Jason Bateman) encounters an old acquaintance from High school, Gordon or Gordo(Joel Edgerton), with a creepy demeanor and an obvious grudge. The Gift is ****. I can't call it anything it isn't. I went into this movie with medium expectations and left with a newfound respect and awe for one person. This person is Joel Edgerton. As a director, he can't do wrong. The shots were inspired and eerie. He cut at just the right times to ensure the audience is terrified but not disgusted. As a writer, he can't do wrong. This is honestly one of the best scripts of the year and I hope it gets an Oscar nomination. It was so well written. The major player in both the direction and the writing is that no serious violence was portrayed in any scene in this movie but yet it manages to crawl under your skin and linger long after the movie's over. This is partly thanks to the excellent cinematography by Eduard Grau. Finally as an actor, CAN'T DO WRONG! He was creepy as hell but yet you some how want to root for him. He plays the role magically and was by far the best part of this movie. Jason Bateman, oh how woefully I doubted you. At first I didn't think he could pull it off. But he did. He was perfect as well. he was sly and slimy as well as awkwardly funny and relatable ( before everything goes down). Rebecca Hall in many ways was the main character. She did great. Though she wasn't as good as Edgerton or Bateman, she certainly held her own. Another great aspect of the movie was the soundtrack and the score. It fit perfectly to the subtly creepy atmosphere. Finally Since the script was so well written the viewer is left in ambiguity towards the morals of a character and I find this masterfully executed with every twist and turn being virtually unpredictable. All and all I loved this movie. Some might argue that the pacing is a bit off nut with such a short runtime. Certain things are justifiably stretched our skimmed. personally I didn't find this much of a problem. The Gift IS my favorite movie of the year so far and is a must see. The Gift gets an A+ or a 10/10. Simon says go watch this movie!